A 51-year-old Palo Alto man who was allegedly spotted masturbating while riding a bicycle near Seale Park has been charged with one count of misdemeanor indecent exposure, police said.

Police were called to the 3100 block of Stockton Place at about 7:40 p.m. on the Fourth of July. A man and woman in their 20s said they were getting ready to drive away from the park with two children under the age of 5 when they saw the man touch himself as he rode up and down the street.

The children were seated in the back of the car and did not see the man, according to police.

Officers located the man a few blocks away at about 7:45 p.m. and detained him without incident, police said. Following an investigation, Clark Duncan McElfresh, 51, of Palo Alto was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Prosecutors have since charged McElfresh with one count of misdemeanor indecent exposure, police said.

This isn't McElfresh's first brush with the law. He was cited for indecent exposure in March 2012 after he was spotted strolling down the street with nothing on and touching himself.

Anyone with information about the Fourth of July incident is asked to call the police department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can text or call 650-383-8984, or email paloalto@tipnow.org.